Random power OFF problem on 8RDA+ :(

[Corsairpro]

I just got done setting up my xp2100, hyperx 3500 (2x256), slot load dvd, asus 32xcdr, floppy, gf4 ti 4200, sb audigy, intel pro 100 nic. I have an enermax 431W psu. When ever it powers up... it'll do the memory test and as soon as its done it turns off. I reset the CMOS, and let it boot until it didnt't find any os loaded and it turned off. I reset cmos again, went into bios, loaded fail safe defaults, adjusted a few setting like fsb to 133, boot device order. save and exit, it turns off after the memory test again.

please help!

 

[iwearnosox]

Bad memory might cause it, do you have access to another module to swap out and test?

Disconnect all uneeded peripherals to start too- dvd, hard drives other than 0, pci cards, etc.

 

[iwearnosox]

Oh and only put in 1 memory module to start.

 

[mechBgon]

CPU overheat could cause something like this, too. Is your heatsink oriented so the stepped end of the base is at the top end of the CPU socket, facing the power supply?

 

[Corsairpro]

I'm using an sk7, is it possible i mounted that wrong? I checked the bios before and the temps were hanging around 49-52... nothing outrageous.

 

[mechBgon]

With the SK-7 being able to move back and forth on its clip, it's a good idea to pull it as far down toward the bottom of the socket as the clip will allow, before you clip down the clip. Otherwise it can ride up on the solid-plastic end of the CPU socket and not get flat contact with the CPU core. Been there, done that

 

[Corsairpro]

assuming its not the processor overheating... i very much doubt that it is.... i guess i'll try the gutting it method.... now, lets say that I do only have cpu, vid, mem (1 stick) and it still acts up on me... what are my possible recourses then?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Corsairpro
assuming its not the processor overheating... i very much doubt that it is.... i guess i'll try the gutting it method.... now, lets say that I do only have cpu, vid, mem (1 stick) and it still acts up on me... what are my possible recourses then?

Next stage is to dangle it menacingly over the toilet by its ATX cable

Seriously though, take it out of the case, and lay it on cardboard. If it doesn't work with the CPU, vid and 1 memory module, outside of the case, then try the other memory module. If that doesn't work, try other CPUs and video cards if you have other suitable ones (don't use pre-GeForce cards in it though). What's the onboard diagnostic LED saying?

 

[mechBgon]

I guess I should ask this too: you did use thermal grease between the CPU and the heatsink, right? :Q

 

[Corsairpro]

AS3.... the diagnostic thing just keeps flipping through different hexidecimal stuff just like a normal boot, but suddenly poof! no more power, i hear a faint beeping beep, pause, beep, pause, each of equal length. it requires me to flip the power switch on my PSU to get it to power on again.

 

[mechBgon]

Hmm, and the heatsink is snug against the lower end of the clip? Sometimes people use shims that are too thick and keep the heatsink from making good contact, too...?

 

[Corsairpro]

i'm a brave soul and use NO shim at all Its not completely down by the bottom clip.... but again, I don't think its cpu temperature related.... i've booted it up, paused... watched the temperature rise from 43-49 and stop going up.... then un paused, let the memtest happen and poof no power....

 

[mechBgon]

Hmm. A couple more questions/suggestions: if you haven't set the memory speed to 100% of the CPU's FSB speed, that would be a good idea since nForce2 likes synchronous operation. Also, I still think it would be good to unclip the top end of the clip and slide the heatsink as far to the bottom as possible, if it has more than 1-2mm to go (my 8RDA+ got more like 44C temps). And if you haven't tried running the system without the hard drive hooked up to it, that might be revealing too. What brand/model of hard drive is it?

edit: I have to get to bed here If your drive is a Western Digital then try jumpering it to Single Drive and putting it on its own cable, and if that doesn't work then try cutting the #1 wire and the ground wire next to it in the IDE cable (#1 is the one with the red stripe). This is a legit solution to a rare WD problem. Good luck, catch up with you tomorrow perhaps

 

[Corsairpro]

OK, i'll try remounting the HSF (it was a B*tch to mount) I have a 40GB maxtor

 

[Corsairpro]

none of it worked, keeps powering off on its own. at first i couldn't even get into the bios until i plugged my ide devices back in... it would just freeze up. when i plugged em back in it would go until it started to boot from cd then power off.

 

[Corsairpro]

<------- Very unhappy :|

 

[Corsairpro]

help me, i'm poor pathetic and my computer doesn't work.... don't let your fellow AT'er suffer like this!

 

[mechBgon]

Can you test the CPU in another board to confirm that it still works normally? Ditto for the video card. If they both work normally then I'd be thinking it's RMA time for the 8RDA+.

 

[Corsairpro]

well, i managed to flash the bios to the 4/02/03 bios... its more stable.... but it still powers off before I can load windows.... I'm fed up w/ this thing... I just might go p4.... nForce 2 has been nothing but problems for me.